Required education
ADN or BSN
Annual average salary
$46k–$93k
Attributes
Managerial
Lead, guide and support other nurses so they can provide the best care.
Patient-facing
Work hands-on, directly with patients.
Research-oriented
Analyze data and discover new ways to help patients.
Structured
Follow a routine that allows you to anticipate and prepare for every situation.
Varied
Take on different tasks, patients, and situations every day.
You’ll help patients, giving them confidence and supporting their wishes while helping them make informed decisions about their health.
What you’ll do
Assessment
You’ll review patient concerns and work with doctors to make sure they’re receiving the best and most cost-effective healthcare.
Education
You’ll teach patients about their diagnoses, available treatments and healthcare decisions.
Representation
You’ll represent the patient when their wishes differ from that of their doctor.
Where you’ll work
- Hospitals
- Long-term care centers
- Outpatient care centers
- Specialty departments
How to become a Nurse Advocate
01
Get an Associate’s Degree in Nursing (ADN) or Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).
02
Pass the NCLEX-RN and work as a Registered Nurse.
03
While there is no specific Nurse Advocate certification, there are variety of certifications that train nurses as patient care liaisons.
04
You’re ready to work as a Nurse Advocate.
Join an Organization
Become a member of a Nurse Advocate organization to find career opportunities, learn from your colleagues, and support the profession.
Related Organizations
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A Long-term Care Nurse is another type of management nurse.
